Mjeteconer Just perfect...

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Zoooma Sundance Audience Winner for World Cinema Dramatic.First feature film made in Jordan in 50 years.A beautiful film about an old and lonely man and his way of finding good in people and helping those around him. One day his world enlarges with new characters who become very important in his life. They give him meaning and everything changes. Subplots trudge along kind of slowly. There could have been more depth and better pacing but what's here on the surface is always engaging. Overall it's a very moving story that is filmed so very well; the lush orchestral score, cinematography and direction are each excellent to outstandingly perfect. Performances by the cast are simple and real, allowing us to get close to these people on the screen, to feel for them and their situations.Through my first 141 movies seen in 2013, this was my 6th Best!8.6 / 10 stars--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener

ratcityfilmsociety This is a film that anyone who has known an old Arab man can not help but love. The rest of humanity will be starting at a disadvantage, but love is still a very distinct possibility. At the same time, if all you look for in a film is lighting and other composition relate things you still will be pleased. It is not flawless, but the sublime moments overpower any fault finding reflexes in me. This film actually bridges and melds together Arab and Western film. Something that the various subcultures of the Arab World have already done to varying degrees in their real lives, but for some reason (pick your own) the arts have lagged behind. The good, bad and ugly were all shown true to life; which isn't the norm in the conservative world of Arabic language film. At the same time the film overflowed with that charm and generosity that is so central in Arab culture. I am an American with Arab roots, which might play a part in my great affection for this film; it might only be really good instead of really really good. Oh my! I almost forgot Rana Sultan, which would have been almost sinful. Every once in a while there is that character in a film (and in real life too) that just dazzles with charm and beauty (Audrey Hepburn and Virginia Madsen are two others that jump to my mind). Her vivacious, powerful, and stunning character filled the screen. It's always nice to fall in love, even if it is only for 102 minutes.

arrabi This movie is a great one on several levels: 1- It depicts the life in Amman Jordan in a very real way: the difference between the poor (eastern) and rich (western) sides of the city very well. The nostalgic aspects of Amman downtown - the roman ruins everywhere, the stairs, the groups of kids running around ... This is one aspect never found in any previous Jordanian movies.2- The movie has very capable actors - very expressive faces. The kids in the movie are supposedly 1st time actors, gathered from refugee camps in Jordan. That is AMAZING. They truly acted so natural.3- amazing soundtrack - the music score adds so much to the emotional scenes - yet, it remains transparent. Perfect combination.4- the story is very nice, global, humanistic, 3rd world concerns (child employment, familial violence, poverty, class segregation, etc.) I think the story could have been better: I wish it had more depth, I wish the problems presented are not so "cliche". Child employment and familial violence are problems that usually 1st world people "project" on 3rd world countries. However, if you ask 3rd world people about it, chances are they are at the bottom of the list. Not because they are not important, but because there are so many other more pressing problems, AND, because they often tend to be symptoms of poverty & ignorance.I wish the author has picked a problem where right and wrong are actually much harder to decide. The movie seemed a bit long even at 1.5 hours.I also wish the movie got faster.. the introduction, and I would say the first 60 minutes of the movie were perfect. The director was preparing the stage for the plot very nicely. However, after 60 minutes, one would expect the movie to pick up speed and not remain very "dreamy" like. The plot came very quickly.Overall, great job director Matalqa. I am looking forward for his future movies.

Elia Haddad The filmmaker's cut-throat approach to promoting his film has raised a few eyebrows. Matalqa in numerous interviews claims his film is the first Jordanian feature film in 50 or 30 years. But the truth is two feature films were made in Jordan: The Mission in 2007 and Oriental Tale in 1991. I don't see why it's necessary to try to erase other people's accomplishments to make a name for himself. Why not continue the journey that others have started instead of undermining their legacy. As for the film itself, it's not technically weak but it's not a memorable film. What's noticeable about the film is the presence of so many actors who work in official institutions in Jordan such as employees or former employees of various cultural organizations such as Ali Maher of the Royal Film Commission, Lina Attal (head of Queen Nour Performing Arts Center), Dina Raad (ex-manager at the Royal Film Commission), Phaedra Dahdaleh (ex-Royal Film Commission employee) and others, Rana Sultan (Jordan Government TV presenter). Yet this film is being promoted as an independent film.